Emperor Xiaoxuan of the Chen Dynasty, known as Chen Xu, with the courtesy name Shaoshi and the nickname Shili, was the second son of King Zhaolie of Shixing, Chen Baxian. He was born on the Xinyou day of the second year of the Daitong era in the Liang Dynasty. It was said that the house was brightly lit that night, and red light filled the entire room. From a young age, he was known for his kind and intelligent nature. As he grew up, he became tall, handsome, and brave, excelling in horseback riding and archery. After his father, Chen Baxian, quelled the Hou Jing rebellion, he was stationed at Jingkou. Emperor Yuan of Liang once summoned Chen Baxian's sons and nephews to serve as palace guards, so his father sent Chen Xu to Jiangling. Chen Xu climbed the ranks in Jiangling, eventually becoming a General of the Guards and a Minister in the Imperial Secretariat. There was a cavalry officer named Li Zong, who was a close friend of Chen Xu, and they often went out together. One time, when Li Zong went out and came back, he was shocked to find that Chen Xu had transformed into a massive dragon! Terrified, Li Zong quickly hid in another room. Later, after Jiangling fell, Chen Xu fled to the Guanzhong region.
In the first year of Yongding, Chen Xu was granted the title of Prince of Shixing County, with a fief of two thousand households. Three years later, Chen Shizong, the Emperor of the Chen Dynasty, succeeded to the throne and appointed him as the Prince of Ancheng. In the third year of Tianjia, Chen Xu returned from the Zhou Dynasty and was appointed as Chamberlain, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and General of the Central Guard, along with assistants and clerical staff. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Commissioner and military commander for five regions: Yangzhou, Nanxuzhou, Dongyangzhou, Nanyuzhou, and Beijiangzhou, as well as the Governor of Yangzhou, and was promoted to General of the Valiant Cavalry, with other official positions unchanged. Four years later, he was additionally appointed as one of the Three Excellencies. Six years later, he was promoted to Minister of State. In the first year of Tiankang, he was appointed as Grand Secretary, with other official positions unchanged. After the abdication of Emperor Chen Shizong, Chen Xu was appointed as Minister of State, promoted to Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry, concurrently serving as Grand Secretary, in charge of the national military, accompanied by thirty sword-bearing guards. In January of the second year of Guangda, Chen Xu was promoted to Grand Tutor, concurrently serving as Minister of State, with special privileges to wear a sword in court, and his fief was increased to three thousand households, adding to his previous holdings, with other official positions unchanged. On the Jia Yin day in November, Empress Dowager Cixun ordered the dethronement of Chen Shizong and appointed Chen Xu as Emperor.
In the first month of the year 589 AD, on the first day of the Jia Wu month, the emperor ascended to the throne in the Taiji Palace and issued a decree saying: "The sage receives his mandate from heaven, and the revival of the dynasty is due to the possession of virtuous qualities, which enable one to become a wise ruler of the generation. The founding Emperor Wu emulated the governance of Yao and Shun, inherited the achievements of Great Yu; his achievements are as monumental as heaven and earth, his virtues shine as brightly as the sun, moon, and stars, and his career is as stable and long-lasting as the mountains and rivers. Emperor Wen, the second emperor, inherited the saintly virtues of his predecessor, followed the historical trend, built palaces advocating frugality, focused on moral cultivation, and laid the foundation of the country; his plans were far-sighted. My abilities are limited, my wisdom pales in comparison to that of the sages, and inheriting the aspirations of my ancestors, I ascend to the throne. Although I have received their teachings since childhood, I am committed to safeguarding the nation, learning the noble virtues of Jizha and emulating the practice of Prince Yuanbi of Chengyang in avoiding the throne. Since I was appointed as the crown prince and ascended to the throne, I have been working hard to govern, hoping for peace and prosperity for the people. However, unexpected rebellions have repeatedly occurred in the royal family; the country is in turmoil, the national fate is difficult, and the dynasty is facing a crisis. I bear a heavy responsibility and have no choice but to ascend to the throne. My determination is firm; I swear to the heavens to govern the country well, and the ministers have also repeatedly requested my ascension to the throne, the atmosphere is bustling. The empress dowager is also very worried, always concerned about me. I have turned down the throne many times, even more than King Tang of the Yin and Shang dynasties did; I hesitated for a long time, longer than the five declinations of King Dai. Now that I have accepted the mandate of heaven, I hereby declare the third year to be the first year of Taijian, and I hereby grant a general amnesty! All civil and military officials in the court are promoted by one rank; those who are filial to their parents, work hard in farming, and honor their fathers are granted a noble rank, while those with special talents will be additionally honored. For the elderly and impoverished citizens, each will receive five measures of grain." Then, the emperor conferred the title of Grand Empress Dowager on the empress dowager, appointed Lady Liu as Empress, and appointed the crown prince Shubao as the crown prince, and appointed the prince Shuling as the King of Shixing, responsible for the sacrifices of Prince Zhaolie.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the emperor went to the ancestral temple to pay respects to the ancestors. On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the emperor ordered envoys to inspect various regions to learn about the people's customs. Zhang Zhaoda was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Chunyu Liang was promoted to Grand General of the Northern Expedition, Huang Fabian was promoted to Grand General of the Western Expedition, Wu Mingche was promoted to General of the Southern Garrison, Prince Bosan of Poyang was promoted to General of the Central Guard, Shen Qin was promoted to Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretary, Wang Mai was promoted to Right Deputy of the Imperial Secretary, and Shen Ke was promoted to General of the Southern Garrison and Governor of Guangzhou. On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, the emperor personally paid his respects at the southern suburbs. On the ninth day of the Lunar New Year, Prince Shuying was appointed General of Xuanhui and Inspector of Dongyang, and was given the title of Prince of Yuzhang; Prince Shujian was renamed Prince of Changsha. On the eleventh day of the Lunar New Year, Zhou Hongzheng was appointed as a Special Advisor. On the sixteenth day of the Lunar New Year, the emperor personally paid his respects at the ancestral temple. On the seventh day of the second month, the empress dowager went to the ancestral temple to worship. On the eighth day of the second month, the crown prince went to the ancestral temple to worship. On the twelfth day of the second month, the emperor personally participated in the field allocation ceremony. On the first day of the fifth month, envoys from the State of Qi came to pay homage. On the fourth day of the fifth month, Xu Ling was promoted to Right Deputy of the Imperial Secretary, and Shen Junli was promoted to Minister of Personnel. On the eighth day of the seventh month, the crown prince married Lady Shen, making her the crown princess, and all the royal and noble ministers received varying amounts of silk and fabric as rewards. On the fourteenth day of the seventh month, Prince Bogong of Jin'an was promoted to Commanding General and further honored as General of Annan. On the first day of the ninth month, Prince Bogong of Jin'an was promoted to Chief Commanding General. In October, Ouyang He, the General of the Left Guard, rebelled in Guangzhou. On the eighth day of October, the emperor dispatched Zhang Zhaoda to lead troops to quell the rebellion. On the ninth day of October, the emperor personally paid his respects at the ancestral temple.
On a certain day in the first month of a certain year, Huang Fabian was promoted and became the Grand General of Central Authority, a very high position! That afternoon, the emperor personally visited the ancestral temple to offer sacrifices. On a certain day in the second month, Zhang Zhaoda captured Ouyang He and had him executed in Jiankang, and the war in Guangzhou also subsided. On a certain day in the third month, the empress dowager passed away, which was a great loss. That afternoon, the emperor ordered a pardon for criminals in Guang and Heng provinces. A few days later, he issued a general amnesty throughout the country! He specifically ordered that the remains of soldiers who had died in battles since the campaigns against Zhou Di and Hua Jiao should be collected, embalmed, and returned to their hometowns; those who were injured and not yet recovered were to be treated.
On a certain day in the fourth month, Prince Bozong of Linhai passed away. A few days later, the empress dowager was laid to rest at Wan'an Mausoleum. On a certain day in the intercalary month, the emperor went to the ancestral temple to pay respects. The next day, the bright star, Venus, was seen during the day! On a certain day in the fifth month, Huang Fabian presented a piece of auspicious jade. A few days later, envoys from the state of Qi came to pay their respects. On a certain day in the sixth month, envoys from Silla also came to pay tribute. A few days later, hail fell. Subsequently, the emperor dispatched envoys to inspect various regions and address wrongful cases. A few days later, both Zhang Zhaoda and Shen Ke were promoted, becoming Grand Generals of Chariots and Cavalry and General of the Southern Garrison, respectively.
On a certain day in the eighth month, the emperor issued a decree, the essence of which was: Throughout history, governing with benevolence and virtue to pacify distant lands has been the standard, reducing wars and allowing the people to live and work in peace is fundamental. In recent years, the people of Jiangzhou have left their homes and returned to the court with great difficulty, always loyal; the court should provide proper care for them in gratitude for their loyalty. Therefore, all deserted areas, whether in the capital or in various provinces and counties, are exempt from taxes and corvee. Those willing to return home if their lost lands are recovered shall be permitted to do so without any restrictions. Provincial and county officials must carefully identify and arrange abandoned fertile lands and villages for the people to live in. Anyone who dares to impose extra taxes will be punished for disturbing the peace!
The emperor issued another imperial decree, saying: "The people are the foundation of the country; this is an ancient principle. Governing the country and caring for the people is the great principle of governance. I attend morning court and retire in the evening every day, working day and night, in order to bring blessings to the people. In the late years of the Liang Dynasty, political corruption, decay of laws, rampant banditry, and heavy taxes and labor were prevalent. Since the founding of the Great Chen, although rebellions have been quelled, there has been little time for reform. If this continues, it will become ingrained. I cannot sleep at night, and I find it hard to eat; I want to start from the basics, govern with frugality, and benefit the people. Although the national treasury is not yet full, as long as we can manage it, we should streamline expenses, reduce unnecessary waste, and hope to implement it for a long time, making the system simple and easy to follow. Starting from now, if crops fail due to drought or water disasters, it is possible to report to the court for a reduction or exemption of taxes. Soldiers over sixty years old are all allowed to retire. Craftsmen who died due to work-related injuries or illnesses, as well as the elderly and infirm, do not need to be held accountable. If someone conceals the death of a skilled craftsman, or if an official acts corruptly for personal gain, they will be held accountable, and those unfairly held responsible will be returned to their hometowns. Active officials should oversee one another, and if there is negligence, they should not evade responsibility and must face appropriate consequences. When officials are transferred, they must report detailed household registration information for handover. If the population increases, there will be rewards; if it decreases, accountability will be enforced. Anyone who can develop uncultivated land, regardless of the amount, will be exempt from taxes.
On a certain day in August, the bright Tai Bai star was spotted again during the day! On a certain day in September, Du Leng was promoted. On a certain day in October, the emperor visited the ancestral temple to pay his respects. On a certain night in November, thunder rumbled from the northwest.
In the early days of January 589 AD, the court appointed Xu Ling as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, who previously served as the Deputy Minister of the Right Secretariat and concurrently oversaw the Grand Scribe. A few days later, the emperor personally went to the Southern Suburb to make offerings. And a few days later, he personally went to the Northern Suburb to make offerings.
On a day in February, the emperor once again personally went to the Hall of Brightness to offer sacrifices. Then, he personally plowed the fields, symbolizing the importance of agriculture. On a day in March, the court ordered a general amnesty throughout the country. From the first year of Tiankang to the first year of Taijian, all outstanding military rations, salaries, and summer taxes were waived. In addition, royal descendants and their relatives who had fled due to crimes were allowed to return and surrender; those who were detained would be released at the discretion of the authorities; if they had houses, they would be returned to them.
On a day in April, envoys from the State of Qi came to pay tribute. On a day in May, the Morning Star appeared in broad daylight! Before long, envoys from Liaodong, Silla, Goguryeo, India, and Panpan arrived with tributes. On a day in June, Prince Xiao Jiqing of Jiangyin was dismissed from his position due to misconduct. A few days later, Xiao Yi was appointed as Prince of Jiangyin.
On a day in August, the Crown Prince personally led a sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Academy, and teachers and officials below the Chief Libationer received rewards, with differing amounts. "The Crown Prince personally performed the libation at the Imperial Academy; the two tutors and officials below received different rewards." On a day in September, the Morning Star was spotted in broad daylight again! "In the ninth month of the year, Venus was seen during the day." On a day in October, the emperor made a personal visit to the Temple of Heaven for sacrifices. A few days later, envoys from the Zhou Dynasty came to pay tribute. And a few days after that, envoys from the country of India came to offer treasures. On a day in December, Zhang Zhaoda, the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Minister of Works, passed away. "In the twelfth month of the year, the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Minister of Works Zhang Zhaoda passed away."
In the year 560 AD, in January, Emperor Jing appointed Shuling as the Governor of Xiangzhou, promoted to General of Pingnan; Shujian as General of Xuan Yi and Governor of Jiangzhou; Xuling as Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat; Wang Mai as Right Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat. On Gengshen day, Boxin was appointed as General of Xinwei and Central Protector. On Gengwu day, the emperor made a personal visit to the Temple of Heaven for sacrifices.
On the Yiyu day in February, Emperor Jing appointed his son Shuqing as the Prince of Jian'an, and granted him the positions of General of the Eastern Central Army and Governor of Dongyang Province. On the Renzi day in March, Sun Yang was appointed as the General of the Western Frontier and Governor of Jingzhou. On the Yichou day in March, envoys from the Funan and Linyi countries came to offer tribute. On the Wuzi day in April, Huang Fabiao was appointed as the Grand General of the Southern Campaign and Governor of Nanyuzhou. On the Guimao day in May, the Right Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Wang Mai, passed away. On the Xinsi day in June, the Palace Attendant, General of the Right Guard, and Chief Minister Du Leng passed away.
On the Xinyou day in August, envoys from the Zhou dynasty came to propose a marriage proposal. On the Dingchou day, auspicious omens appeared. On the Wuyin day, the Emperor issued a decree stating: "The key to our nation's well-being is in helping those affected by disasters and gearing up for war. When sending troops into battle, laws must be followed and approval must be sought from the ancestral temple, in order to govern the world and achieve the seven virtues. We have recently quelled rebellions and brought peace to the realm. This is the result of the sacrifices of our soldiers and the strategic planning of the court. Although the northern enemies have been subdued and the fighting has stopped, and a few northern ethnic groups have come to pay tribute, and the border is peaceful, it is still crucial to train our people for battle. Even the kind-hearted must possess courage and cannot forget military preparedness. I have studied the tactics of renowned ancient generals and combined them with my own experiences in leading troops into battle, and have developed thirteen military regulations that will now be established as permanent guidelines." On the Yiwu day, the Emperor ordered to halt tax collection in Xiangzhou and Jiangzhou, and exempted fifteen counties, including Wuxi, from forced labor and taxes. On the Gengzi day in September, a solar eclipse took place. On the Xinhai day, a general amnesty was announced across the realm.
The emperor issued another decree, saying: "Listening to good advice and heeding counsel is the mark of a wise ruler; presenting talented individuals and speaking frankly to offer advice is a good example for subjects. My virtue is lacking, and I have inherited the throne. Although the country has been peaceful, governing the nation is no easy feat. I have appointed officials who are diligent in political affairs, but few officials have the courage to speak their minds. This is not a problem of my personal ability, but a lack of subjects who dare to speak frankly. I have set up public forums, hoping that ministers can speak freely, yet few are willing to comment on what is right or wrong; I have established a system of censors, hoping that ministers can speak frankly, but very few people dare to point out my mistakes. Individuals like Zhu Yun, who are bold enough to speak their minds, are rare; people like Qin Xi, who dare to risk their lives to give advice, are even more rare. Talented individuals who are overlooked often fade into obscurity, which is regrettable. Officials come in various ranks, but no matter their abilities, they should receive appropriate rewards and punishments, and should not be treated the same. There is much discussion in the court, but a lack of effective decision-making. This is my failing, as I lack wise counsel. In order to achieve ideal politics, I must make changes. I want all my civil and military officials to understand: if any official in service behaves improperly and contributes to corruption in the court, they should dare to speak frankly to give advice, even if it risks offending my authority. Additionally, everyone should put forward talented individuals and evaluate them according to their abilities. Officials' achievements and capabilities should be rigorously assessed, with rewards and punishments based on their performance." On the day of Bingyin, Xu Du, Du Leng, and Cheng Lingxi were posthumously honored as ancestors and were to receive sacrifices at the ancestral temple, while Zhang Zhaoda was to be honored at the temple of the founding emperor.
On the 10th day of the 10th month of the Yiyou year, the emperor personally went to the ancestral temple to offer sacrifices. On the day of Wuxu, Shen Ke was appointed as the commander. On the night of the 11th day of the 11th month, an earthquake occurred. On the day of Xinyou in the leap month, the emperor proclaimed: "The land in the Gushu region is fertile, close to Jingzhou and Hezhou. The terrain of Bowang Pass is dangerous, with Longshan to the south and Niu Island to the north. It is near the ancient city of Xiong Yi from the Chu Kingdom and the military fortress of the Wu Kingdom. The land is fertile, with fields and gardens as far as the eye can see, houses standing in rows, crisscrossing paths, and beautiful scenery. Since the end of the Liang Dynasty, this area has suffered severe damage from wars. Although we have been striving to revitalize the economy, we have not yet fully recovered. In order to develop the economy of this area, I have decided to resettle the military and civilians here, permitting them to settle on the land and granting them tax exemptions. The court will send people to oversee the resettlement alongside local officials to distribute land and houses." On the day of Renyin in the twelfth month, sweet dew fell in Leyou Garden. On the day of Jiachen, the emperor visited Leyou Garden to gather sweet dew and host a feast for his courtiers. On the day of Dingmao, the emperor issued a decree saying: "During the later years of the Liang Dynasty, conflict was rampant, and the palaces were nearly destroyed by fire. More than twenty years have passed since then, and because we were preoccupied with wars, we had no time to repair the palaces. Now that the wars have calmed down, we can finally begin constructing the Eastern Palace. An official has been specially appointed to take charge of this matter."
In January of the year 555 AD, the court appointed Chunyu Liang as Grand General of Central Command; Shuying, Prince of Yuzhang, replaced Chunyu Liang as the Governor of Nanxu Prefecture and was promoted to General of Pacifying the North; Shen Junli was appointed as Right Deputy Minister of Personnel and concurrently as the Minister of Personnel. After that, the emperor personally conducted sacrifices at the Southern Suburbs, the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and the Hall of Brightness. In February, a white mist resembling a rainbow appeared, extending from the north all the way to the Purple Palace, where the North Star is located. In March, the court ordered a northern expedition, appointing Wu Mingche as Commander-in-Chief to lead the various military forces. Xiheng Prefecture presented a long-horned horse as tribute. The imperial grandson, Yin, was born, and the court rewarded civil and military officials with different grades of silk, which resulted in a promotion for Yin's father. Wu Mingche led an army of one hundred thousand troops from Bai Xia, marching northward. In April, Lu Guangda captured Xian City in the State of Qi; Wu Mingche captured the city of Shuizha in Qinzhou; Huang Fabian defeated the hundred thousand Qi troops sent to reinforce Liyang; Wu Mingche also defeated the Qi troops who came to rescue Qinzhou. The court ordered the on-site burial of Qi soldiers killed during the northern campaign. Xu'an captured Shiliang City. In May, the cities of Waliang and Yangping surrendered one after the other; Xu'an captured Lujiang City; Huang Fabian captured Liyang City; and the city of Beigao Tang surrendered. The court appointed Huang Fabian to defend Liyang and ordered the restoration of the areas where the Qi state had changed counties to prefectures. Huang Yong captured the outer city of Qichang; Ren Zhong captured the inner and outer cities of Dongguan, and subsequently captured Qicheng and Qiaojun City; Qinzhou also fell; Guabu and Husu cities also surrendered. In June, Li Zong captured Shekou City; Ren Zhong captured the outer city of Hezhou; Huaiyang and Shuyang counties abandoned their cities and retreated; an auspicious sign known as "Jingyun" appeared; Cheng Wenji captured Jingzhou City; Zhan Tao captured Xincai City; Western Wei sent envoys to pay tribute; Huang Fabian captured Hezhou City; Wu Mingche captured Renzhou City. This month, the court also undertook renovations of the Hall of Brightness.
In July, Wu Mingche was promoted to General of the Northern Campaign; Zhou Jiong defeated the 20,000 Qi troops who came to reinforce Qi Chang; Wu Mingche captured the city on the north bank of the gorge, while the defending troops on the south bank abandoned the city and fled; Zhou Jiong captured Ba Prefecture; the people of Jiangcheng in Huaibei and Guyang surrendered; Wu Mingche captured the outer city of Shouyang.
In August, Shanyang City and Xuyi City surrendered successively; the Southern Qi Chang Commandery was disbanded; Xu Jingbian captured Haian City; Qingzhou Donghai City surrendered; Chen Jingtai and others captured Jinzhou City.
In September, Yangping City surrendered; Shen Shandu captured Matou City; Qi'an City surrendered; Fan Yi captured the Chuzi City in Guangling; Shen Junli passed away. Lu Tiannian captured the small city of Huangcheng, and the Qi troops retreated to the main city; the court transferred Xuyi Commandery in Southern Yanzhou to Qiaozhou; a phenomenon of night brightness appeared in the evening; the main city of Huangcheng also surrendered.
In October, Guo Mo City surrendered; Wang Chang was appointed as Minister of Personnel; Zhou Hongzheng was appointed as Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel; Wu Mingche captured Shouyang City, killed Wang Lin, and sent Wang Lin's head to the capital and displayed it on Zhuque Bridge; Fan Yi defeated ten thousand Qi troops coming from Yingkou; Fan Yi defeated the Qi troops coming to reinforce Cangling. The court issued a decree stating that during the previous Liang Dynasty, Shouyang was designated as Southern Yuzhou; now that Shouyang has been recovered, it would be restored to Yuzhou; Huangcheng was designated as Sizhou, with Anchang Commandery, Hanyang Commandery, and Yiyang Commandery under its jurisdiction. Wu Mingche was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou and promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry; Huang Fabian was appointed as General of the Western Expedition and Governor of Hezhou. Zhan Tao captured Qichang City.
In November, Huaiyin City surrendered; Liu Taogen captured Qushan City; Fan Yi captured Jiyin City; Lu Guangda and others captured North Xuzhou.
In December, the court issued a decree saying: in ancient times, dealing with rebels often meant exterminating three generations and displaying their heads publicly as a warning to future generations. However, now that we only kill one person, with their descendants still alive, it's sufficient to display the head publicly; there's no need to keep it in the armory for an extended period. In a gesture of mercy, we have decided to return the heads of Xiong Tanlang, Liu Yi, Chen Baoying, Zhou Di, Deng Xu, and Wang Lin to their families. Qiaocheng surrendered; Prince Shuming was appointed as the King of Yidu, and Shuxian was appointed as the King of Hedong; Ren Zhong successfully captured Huozhou City.
On the first day of the first month in 466 AD, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "As rulers, we should regard all the people as our own family, always caring for them. Even in times of peace, we must be cautious, especially considering that the realm is still not fully stable. I am troubled day and night! Having inherited the legacy of my ancestors, I am resolute in my commitment to diligent governance, following the will of heaven and considering the well-being of the people. Thus, I have commanded the troops to rescue those who are suffering. Although the war is not yet over, we have made significant progress, expanding our territory by thousands of miles and capturing nearly a hundred cities. The barbarian tribes occupy perilous territories, and even some youths in the Jianghuai region continue to engage in robbery, while some rogues in the countryside are secretly committing misdeeds. Generals and soldiers also do not always abide by the law. Therefore, it is essential to repeal certain harsh laws and promote the principles of benevolence and righteousness across the realm. It is now the New Year celebration, and the border regions are coming to offer tribute. Everyone can feel the emperor's great grace, so we should be more merciful. Amnesty is hereby granted to fifteen provinces: Jiangyou, North Huai, Nansi, Ding, Huo, Guang, Jian, Shuo, He, Yu, North Xu, Ren, North Yan, Qing, Ji, and Nansi, as well as all the people of Linjiang County in Jiangzhou, regardless of their crimes! Generals and soldiers who violate the law shall be punished in accordance with established practices." The emperor subsequently appointed Prince Bogu of Xin'an as the Central Army Commander and elevated him to the position of General of Anqian; Prince Bogyong of Jinan was appointed as the General of Annan and the Governor of Nanyu Province.
On the fifth day of the first lunar month, the emperor personally made sacrifices at the ancestral temple. On the seventh day of the first lunar month, Jincheng in Guangling surrendered. Envoys from the Zhou Dynasty came to pay homage. The Goryeo Kingdom also sent envoys to present tribute. On the first day of the second month, a solar eclipse took place. On the ninth day of the second month, the emperor took to the fields himself. On the twelfth day of the second month, Chunyu Liang was appointed as the Grand General for the Western Campaign and the Inspector of Yingzhou. On the tenth day of the third month, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Last year, many places in the south reported poor harvests, so the overdue land rent remains unpaid. The land rent owed by six counties including Yuzhang in the fifth year of Taijian can be deferred, with half to be paid in the autumn; Yuzhang County also owes land taxes from the fourth year of Taijian, which can also be deferred and paid in the autumn. Nankang County is quite remote, and the people there are especially struggling. The land rent due from the fourth year of Taijian will be fully waived! This will allow everyone to farm with peace of mind, ensuring a good harvest next year."
On the seventh day of April, a comet appeared. On the eighth day of April, the emperor issued a decree saying: "To pacify the people is the key to good governance and national stability; saving people from danger is a lesson from the wise. Recently, we've deployed troops to help the people. Qingzhou and Qizhou used to be our territories, and the tribes in Jiaozhou and Guangzhou have been troubled by invaders for a long time, but now they have all pledged loyalty to the court. They have abandoned farming, have no food or clothing, and the army has not yet arrived, but they have settled halfway, with military camps set up all over Qushan and Huangguo. The people, young and old, have been displaced, having lost their homes and livelihoods, starving, suffering from diseases and epidemics, forcing them to flee in all directions. We should send envoys to reassure them, distribute food from the Yangping Granary to help them, and provide seeds to encourage them to start farming again. The troops stationed in areas like Shibie should also actively participate in farming." On the ninth day of June, Zhou Hongzheng, the Right Deputy of the Ministry of Rites and the Chief Sacrificial Official at the National University, passed away. On the twelfth day of June, Prince Bosan of Poyang was appointed as the Northern Expedition General and the Governor of South Xuzhou, while Prince Boxin of Hengyang was appointed as the General of Xuan Yi and the Governor of Yangzhou. On the twenty-eighth day of November, the court ordered a ten-year tax exemption for the troops involved in the Northern Expedition. On the sixth day of December, Prince Shuling of Shixing was promoted to General of Zhen Nan. On the eleventh day of December, Wang Chang was appointed as the Right Deputy of the Ministry of Rites, and Kong Huan was appointed as the Minister of Personnel. On the thirteenth day of December, Wang Tong was promoted to Special Envoy.
In the first month of the year 577 AD, the emperor personally went to the southern outskirts to offer sacrifices. A few days later, General Fan Yi of the Left Imperial Guard took Tongzhou. A few days later, the emperor personally went to the northern outskirts to offer sacrifices. In the second month, Fan Yi captured six cities including Xiapi and Gaozha. In the third month, the emperor ordered the formation of the "Cloud Flag Volunteers" in eight states including Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Qiaozhou, Xuzhou, Hezhou, Huozhou, Nansizhou, and Dingzhou, and the counties north of the Yangtze River governed by Nanyuzhou, Jiangzhou, and Yingzhou, to support frontline troops and garrisons. In the same month, Huang Fabian, the newly appointed General of the Western Campaign, Prefect of Hezhou, and Supervisor of the Palace Attendants, was appointed as the Prefect of Yuzhou. The eastern part of Xuzhou was renamed Anzhou, and Wuzhou was renamed Yuanzhou. The capital of Qiaozhou was relocated to Xinchang County, and Qin County was transferred to the jurisdiction of Qiaozhou. Xuyi County and Shennong County were reassigned to Nanyanzhou.
In the fourth month, a comet appeared near Dajiao Star. An official named Chen Taogen from Yuzhou obtained a green ox in his jurisdiction and offered it to the emperor, who ordered the ox to be returned to the people. A few days later, the emperor personally offered sacrifices at the ancestral temple. The next day, Chen Taogen presented two hundred pieces of woven silk and brocade, which the emperor ordered to be burned outside Yunlong Gate. Yingzhou presented six auspicious bells. In May, Qin County was transferred from Qiaozhou to Nanyanzhou. North Qiaoxian was established in Beiqiao County, which governed Beiqiao County and Xiqiao County, both part of Yangping County. Nanliang County of Hezhou was transferred to Qiaozhou. In June, a memorial service was held for the soldiers who died on the northern frontlines. Wang Chang was appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Yunlong Gate and Shenbeimen were given new names.
In August, the government seat of Xiyang County was relocated to Baocheng. Envoys from the Zhou Dynasty arrived to pay their respects. In September, Wu Mingche’s army achieved a great victory over the Qi army at Luliang. During this month, sweet dew often fell in Leyou Garden. The emperor visited Leyou Garden to admire the sweet dew, entertained his ministers, and ordered the construction of the Sweet Dew Pavilion on Longboat Mountain within the garden. In October, Prince Baoshan of Poyang was named the Southern Expedition General and Governor of Jiangzhou; Prince Bogu of Xin'an was appointed as the Governor of Southern Xuzhou, promoted to General of the North Garrison; Prince Shujian of Changsha was appointed as the Cloud Banner General and Central Army Leader. The emperor enfeoffed Shuqi as the King of Xincai and Shuwen as the King of Jinxi. In November, Chunyu Liang was appointed as the Grand General of the Central Army. In December, Prince Shujian of Changsha was appointed as the Middle General of Pingyue and Governor of Guangzhou; Prince Suqing of Jian'an was appointed as the Cloud Banner General and Governor of Yingzhou; Prince Suming of Yidu was appointed as the Governor of East Yangzhou. Wang Chang was appointed as the Left Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, Lu Shan was appointed as the Right Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, and Xu Ling was appointed as the General of the Army. Nangang County presented an auspicious bell. In the spring of the year 588 AD, on the day of Gengchen, purple clouds appeared in the southwest direction, which was seen as a good omen! On the day of Renshen in February, Wu Mingche was promoted to the position of Minister of Works, which was a significant promotion! On the same day, the court ordered the remission of the summer taxes owed in the Jiangdong area before the fifth year of Taijian, which was a major amnesty that delighted the common people! On the day of Jiayin in April, the emperor proclaimed: "Our army has returned victorious from battle; everyone has worked hard, and we should celebrate properly! On the seventeenth, let's go to Leyou Garden, set up a feast, play music, and celebrate the civil and military officials!" On the day of Jiwu, the emperor personally visited the ancestral temple to make offerings.
On the 5th day of the 5th month in the year of Gengyin, alas, unfortunately, the Left Deputy Minister Wang Yang passed away. On the 6th day of the 6th month in the year of Guichou, Prince Shujian of Changsha was promoted from Governor of Guangzhou to Governor of Hezhou and also received the title of General Who Pacifies the North. The next day, on the 1st day of the 1st month in the year of Jiayin, the court made another personnel reshuffle, with Lu Shan being promoted to Left Deputy Minister and Wang Ke being appointed as Right Deputy Minister. On the 8th day of the 8th month in the year of Dingmao, Wu Mingche was promoted again, this time as the Governor of Nanyanzhou. On the 9th day of the 9th month in the year of Wuxu, Prince Shubiao was appointed as the Prince of Huainan.
By the 11th day of the 11th month in the year of Yiyu, Prince Shujian of Changsha was once again promoted, from General Who Pacifies the South and Governor of Xiangzhou to General Who Pacifies the West and Governor of Yingzhou. On the day of Dingyou, the three counties of Jinxixi, Gaotang, and Xincai in Jiangzhou were separated, and a new Jinzhou was established. On the day of Xinchou, Prince Boren of Luling was appointed as the Commander of the Central Army. Finally, on the 8th day of the 12th month in the year of Dingmao, Xu Ling was appointed as the Right Grand Master of Light.
In the spring of a certain year (ninth year), on the 1st day of the first month of the year of Xinmao, the emperor personally went to the northern suburbs to offer sacrifices. The next day, on the 2nd day of the 2nd month in the year of Renyin, the emperor appointed Prince Shuling of Shixing, the newly appointed Governor of Xiangzhou and Central Guard General, as the Governor of Yangzhou; appointed Prince Suqing of Jian'an as the Governor of Xiangzhou and promoted him to General Who Pacifies the South. This resembles an internal job shuffle within a company, with some getting promoted and others reassigned. On the 2nd day of the 2nd month in the year of Renzi, the emperor personally plowed the fields, symbolizing his emphasis on agricultural production.
On May 15th, the emperor issued a decree, declaring: "I rise early and retire late each day, always thinking of the people, hoping for the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the common people. However, the integrity of local officials leaves much to be desired, and the issue of tax arrears among the people is quite severe. It is currently the busy farming season, so the burden on the people must be lightened. Therefore, from the Taijian era to the present eight years, all taxes owed by fugitive households, including land taxes and various goods such as rice, millet, cotton, silk, and money owed for several years, are hereby exempted!" This effectively grants a general amnesty to the common people, alleviating their economic burdens.
On July 17th, the emperor appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and Intendant of Danyang, Prince Xiao Boren of Jiangxia, as the Inspector of Hezhou.
On July 19th, Baekje sent envoys to present treasures.
On July 20th, a heavy rainstorm struck, accompanied by an earthquake that damaged the decorative columns at Wan'an Tomb.
On July 21st, the temple of Huiri and the main gate of Waguan Temple were both damaged by the earthquake, and a woman was killed under the gate of Waguan Temple. This highlights the earthquake's devastating impact.
On October 12th, Sikong Wu Mingche defeated tens of thousands of troops led by Zhou Dynasty general Liang Shiyan in Luoyang. This marked a significant victory!
On December 24th, the East Palace was completed, and the crown prince moved into the new palace. The crown prince finally has a new home!
In a certain year, on January 1st, the emperor appointed Prince Xiao Boren of Luling as the General of the Northern Expedition and the Inspector of Southern Xuzhou, and appointed Xuling as the Commander of the Army. These two were key figures at the time: one overseeing military affairs and the other responsible for logistics, both trusted confidants of the emperor.
On the first day of the second month, the Northern Expedition army suffered a major defeat in Lüliang, and General Wu Mingche along with other soldiers were captured by the Zhou army. The battle was truly disastrous, with heavy losses. One day in March, a fire broke out in the imperial arsenal, truly compounding the disaster. Following this, the emperor began to redeploy the army, preparing to counterattack the Zhou army. Chunyu Liang was appointed as the Grand Commander, commanding the naval and land military operations; Sun Yang was in charge of the military affairs in Jingzhou and Yingzhou; Fan Yi was in charge of the army along the Huai River; Ren Zhong was in charge of the army in Shouyang and Xincai. These generals all received promotions and titles. One day in March, the emperor issued a general amnesty, which was considered good news for the people. A few days later, Chunyu Liang was promoted again, becoming the Inspector of Nanyanzhou, with his rank continuing to rise.
In April, the emperor issued a decree praising and commending the soldiers who fought valiantly on the battlefield, acknowledging their merits, and rewarding them with titles and wealth. Furthermore, the emperor issued another edict, claiming to be diligent in governance, frugal and simple, ordering a reduction in palace expenses and officials' salaries to alleviate the burden on the people. This emperor was indeed a diligent and frugal ruler! One day in April, Prince Xiaobogu was appointed as the General of the Guard. Shortly after, General Fan Yi led his troops across the Huai River, constructed fortifications at Qingkou, and prepared for a decisive battle with the enemy. However, that night, a severe hailstorm struck; the weather was absolutely dreadful! To make matters worse, Qingkou City was not defended and was breached by the enemy. One day in May, the Tai Bai star appeared during the day, a truly ominous sign! In June, heavy rain poured down, and many temples and buildings were struck by lightning; the onslaught of natural disasters and human misfortunes seemed never-ending!
In July, the kingdom of Silla sent envoys to pay tribute. The emperor appointed Yuan Xian as Minister of Personnel Affairs. On the first day of August, Qin County was renamed Yizhou. That day, frost fell, damaging the crops. In September, Fan Yi was promoted to General. Following that, the emperor set up an altar at Lou Lake, personally went to offer sacrifices, and swore an alliance with vassal lords from all corners to show unity and solidarity in fighting against the enemy. In October, the emperor ordered the dissolution of Yizhou, Langye County, and Pengcheng County, and the establishment of Jianxing County. Lu Shan was promoted to Minister of Works. In November, Sun Yang was appointed as the Inspector of Yingzhou. In December, the leader of the Lujian tribes, Tian Boxing, rebelled but was subdued by Inspector Lu Guangda.
In January of the year 552 AD, a dragon was sighted in a pond beside Yongning Tower in Nanyanzhou. In February, the emperor personally plowed the fields. In March, the court ordered that the militia and civilians who surrendered in Huibei were to restore their original county names, be integrated into nearby counties, receive land and homes, and be exempt from all taxes.
In May, the emperor issued a decree saying, "In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor appointed Feng the Wind and Li the Shepherd; the Yao Emperor consulted Ji, Qi, and Zhu Wu. They ruled with integrity, and the world was at peace. The Han Dynasty established five ministries, while the Zhou Dynasty divided into six offices, setting up official positions to manage affairs, each with its own division of labor, with lenient laws and penalties. The country prospered, all relying on many talented individuals. I work tirelessly day and night, striving to implement effective governance, but there are many issues; politics is still unstable. I worry every day, not knowing what to do. I am thinking of relying on you ministers, entrusting you with important tasks, selecting talents, and employing the capable. From now on, the documents of the Secretariat, various prefectures, temples, and internal monitoring agencies will be handled by the Consultation Bureau. Regarding military and state affairs such as construction, mobilization, selection, and trial, they must be thoroughly reviewed before being reported. All decisions must be just and transparent, complying with laws and regulations; standards must be consistent, without contradictions, to avoid wrongful convictions. Corruption must be eradicated, and all opinions must be carefully considered without tolerance for wrongdoing." In May, another decree was issued: "Old laws stipulate heavy penalties for those who abuse power for bribes, while the penalties for honest officials who take bribes are very light. Is this not indulging corrupt officials? Matters involving money should be especially severely punished! The laws are now amended, and those who abuse power for bribes will be punished the same as thieves." In June, Prince Yu of Zhang was appointed as General of the Southern Guard and Inspector of Jiangzhou; Prince Bo of Poyang was appointed as General of Central Authority and Guard General. In July, the six-zhu coin currency was introduced. In August, Zhu Xianzong, the leader of the Yizhu in Qingzhou, led seven hundred households to surrender. The emperor attended a grand military parade before returning to the palace. In October, Prince Jing'an Bo Gong was appointed as Military Advisor General, and Lu Shan was appointed as Left Deputy of the Secretariat.
In November, the emperor decreed, "Do not wear ornate crowns, eradicate this extravagant practice, punish severely, and transform the social climate. I have been on the throne for ten years, always thinking about governing the country, caring for the people, and working day and night, but restoring a simple social atmosphere is challenging, and achieving national prosperity is also a challenge. Therefore, the case documents are piling up like mountains, and the prisons detaining prisoners are overcrowded. The governance of King Cheng of Zhou and Emperor Wen of Han has become a thing of the past. Not to mention those small rebellious forces that have invaded our territories such as Pengcheng, Bianzhou, Huaizhou, and Ruzhou; they mimic the tactics of ancient emperors, organize their armies, claiming to save the people, levy taxes, and the people are voicing their grievances. Additionally, the poor selection of campsite locations, violating military rules, means the responsibility for these issues ultimately rests with me, the emperor, and I feel a deep sense of guilt. Now is the month of Jianzi, the weather is warming up, this presents a good opportunity; we should extend mercy and grant a general amnesty." The Zhou dynasty sent Liang Shiyan to lead the army to Feikou. The Zhou forces besieged Shouyang. Chunyu Liang was appointed as the commander of the naval forces; Fan Yi was appointed as the commander of the northern expedition and promoted to the position of General of Anbei; Ren Zhong was appointed as the commander of the northern expedition and promoted to the position of General of Pingbei; Gao Wen led three thousand infantry and cavalry to Yangping County. Ren Zhong led seven thousand infantry and cavalry to Qinquan. Lu Guangda led his troops into the Huai River. Fan Yi led twenty thousand naval troops from Dongguan into Jiaohu; Xiao Moha led infantry and cavalry to Liyang. Yuzhou was lost. Huozhou was also lost. Prince Shuling of Shixing was appointed as the Supreme Commander, commanding both land and naval forces. The nine counties of Southern and Northern Yanzhou, Jinzhou, and the districts of Xuyi, Shanyang, Yangping, Matou, Qin, Liyang, Pei, Beiqiao, and Nanliang were all recaptured. Qiaozhou and North Xuzhou were lost again. The entire Huainan region has fallen under Zhou control.
In December, the emperor issued a decree saying: "In ancient times, Yao and Shun lived in thatched huts and wore rough hemp garments, using wooden staffs and leather belts. Lavish tents, beaded curtains, and jade ornaments do not bring peace and prosperity, but only encourage extravagance. I follow the ways of the ancient sages, wishing to bring peace to the world, but the righteous path is hard to tread, and extravagance is rampant. Now, high-ranking officials live in magnificent houses, while the poor can only eat coarse grains and wear tattered clothes. Bridging the gap between rich and poor is no easy task! Continuous warfare, heavy taxation, corrupt officials, random tax hikes, and numerous tolls not only fail to increase the national treasury's income, but also burden the people, oppress merchants, and make it difficult for them to make a living. To tackle these issues, reforms are essential. If the royal way is not implemented, how can the people be saved from disaster? I hereby order all relevant institutions, unless it is urgently needed for the military, not to produce various items. Palace officials must seek approval from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices before partaking in leisure activities. Court performances and music must be revised to meet the established standards. Aside from venues for regular banquets, no other palaces, mansions, or suburban areas are allowed to be built. All civil and military officials must maintain frugality in their vehicles and homes. Those who violate these rules will face punishment. These regulations will be documented and publicly displayed to convey my intentions." Shen Ke and Pei Zilie have been appointed to oversee Southern Xuzhou, Xu Daonu to guard Zhakou, and Yang Bao'an to guard Bai Xia. Fan Yi has been appointed General of the West, responsible for military operations across the four provinces of Jing, Ying, Ba, and Wu, both on land and water.
In January of the year 572 AD, Ren Zhong was appointed as the General of Pacifying the South and Governor of Nan Yu Province, responsible for military defense along the Yangtze River. In March, Prince Boren of Luling was appointed as the General Who Supports the Left and Commander of the Central Army. In April, the Left Chancellor, Lu Shan, passed away. Following this, Prince Shuxian was appointed as the Governor of Nan Xu Province. On that day, there was also a downpour. In May, Prince Bogong of Jin'an was appointed as the Minister of the Left. In June, a fierce wind damaged the city gates of Gaomen. In August, Sima Xiaonan of Zhou led the army of Yunzhou and other regions to surrender. The court appointed him as the Imperial Envoy, Palace Attendant, Grand Commander, overseeing the military of Ansu and eight other provinces and garrisons, with the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry and Minister of Works, and was granted musical bands. The court also ordered Fan Yi to oversee the military in the Mian and Han regions. Ren Zhong was appointed to lead the army to Liyang, with Chen Huiji as the vanguard heading to Nanyan Province. Later, Sima Xiaonan was appointed as the Grand Commander, responsible for both land and naval forces. Chunyu Ling captured Linjiang County, and Lu Guangda captured Guomo City. On that day, another downpour occurred. Chunyu Ling also captured Youzhou City. In September, Liu Xianguang, the Prefect of Linjiang in Zhou, surrendered. That night, sounds like water and fire clashing were heard from the southeast, lasting for three days. Afterwards, Anlu County was renamed Nansi Province. General Wang Yangui of Zhou led reinforcements to Liyang but was defeated by Ren Zhong, and Wang Yangui was captured. Cao Yao also led his troops to surrender.
In October, hail fell accompanied by thunder. In November, the emperor issued a decree saying: "I have been working day and night to govern the country and achieve a prosperous rule, but have not been able to do so. Currently, wars are frequent, military expenses are enormous, food transportation is challenging, and tax collection is difficult. There is also a severe drought in the summer, resulting in poor harvests of crops, with the most severe disaster in the capital region, leading to hardships for the people unable to pay taxes. This is all due to mismanagement in politics and law, leading to imbalance and hunger among the people. I feel a heavy responsibility and must show compassion to benefit the people. Therefore, I have decided to reduce half of the land taxes and official salaries of Dan Yang, Wu Xing, Jin Ling, Jian Xing, Yi Xing, Dong Hai, Xin Yi, Chen Liu, Jiang Ling, and other ten counties, as well as other departments this year, and also reduce half of the poll tax, to be collected again in the autumn of next year." In December, Prince Shuxian of Hedong passed away.
In a certain year (the specific year should be clarified based on historical records), on the first few days of January, which was the day of Renwu, the court appointed Chunyu Liang as Left Guanglu Daifu, a senior civil official; Prince Boshan of Poyang continued to serve as his Kaifu Yitong Sansi, retaining his rank; Prince Bogu of Xin'an was appointed as the Prefect of Yangzhou, becoming a local official; Prince Bogong of Jin'an was promoted from Shangshu Puye to Shangshu Zuopuye; Xu Ling became the Director of the Imperial Library, also serving as the Prince's Minister of Education; Yuan Xian was promoted to Shangshu You Puye. On the day of Gengyin, Yidu Prince Shuming was appointed as the Prefect of South Xuzhou.
In early February, on the Jia Yin day, the emperor ordered to reward General Zhou and others under the command of Sima Xiaonan with noble titles; the specific titles varied. On the Yi Hai day, the emperor personally plowed the fields, a practice known as "personal plowing," which was a ceremonial activity of ancient emperors. On the Yi Si day in April, the court separated Shixing County from Hengzhou and established Dong Hengzhou, renaming the original Hengzhou as Xi Hengzhou. On the Bing Chen day in May, Fan Yi was appointed Central Protector. On the Xin Mao day in June, Fan Yi was promoted again from the newly appointed Central Protector to Protector General. On the night of Gui Hai in September, a sudden northwest wind blew fiercely, strong enough to topple houses and trees, accompanied by massive hailstones and deafening thunder. On the Gui Wei day in October, Mao Xi was appointed Minister of Personnel, while Fan Yi was appointed General of Zhenxi and Governor of Jingzhou. Simultaneously, Poyang County was renamed Wuzhou. On the Ren Yin day, envoys from the Dandan Kingdom arrived to present treasures. On the Xin Si day in December, a comet was seen in the sky. On the Ji Hai day, Shen Ke was appointed Protector General.
On the Jiyou day in the first month of the fourteenth year, Emperor Gaozong fell ill. On the Jiayin day, he died in the Xuanfu Hall at the age of fifty-three. His testament read: "Since I fell ill less than ten days ago, and with no effect from the medicine, my condition has worsened; life and death are predetermined; what more is there to say? Although I have been emperor for fourteen years and should have rested, I have never allowed myself to slack off, being cautious every day, deeply aware of the heavy responsibility of upholding our ancestral legacy, understanding how difficult it is to govern the country. The border regions are in constant conflict, and the people's lives are not stable. I had planned to bring peace to the realm and unify the Eight Corners, but unfortunately, my wish cannot be realized, only to leave my regrets buried. Crown Prince Shubao is the legitimate heir, young and talented; allowing him to ascend the throne will provide a strong foundation for the state. All ministers, civil and military officials, must assist the new monarch, handle the funeral affairs, fulfill their duties, work hard, assist the new monarch, and must unite as one, not go against my wishes. The funeral ceremony should be simple and free of extravagance. Gold and silver ornaments need not be placed in the tomb; burial items should be replaced with earthenware. As long as it is frugal and follows proper etiquette, it should not exceed the limits. Daily affairs should proceed as usual, following established procedures; officials should have an audience every three days, and local officials and vassals should each perform their duties; there is no need for anyone to come and mourn." On the Xinnian day of the second month, Emperor Gaozong was posthumously named Emperor Xiaoxuan, with the temple name Gaozong. On the Guisi day, he was buried in Xianning Tomb.
During his reign, Emperor Gaozong was generous and had great foresight, fulfilling the people's expectations after he ascended the throne. After the fall of the Liang Dynasty, the Huainan region was incorporated into the Qi Dynasty. During the Taijian era, he sought to recover lost territories, using his outstanding strategy to order military campaigns, achieving successive victories and reclaiming the invaded land, earning great merit. Later, after the Zhou Dynasty destroyed the Qi Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong pursued the enemy all the way to the Yangtze River.
In historical records, it is said that Emperor Gaozong was broad-minded and had an imperial bearing. Knowing that his successor, Emperor Renzong, was rather weak and unable to inherit the throne, Emperor Gaozong was humble like Duke Dan of Zhou, and his mindset was similar to that of Taibo, focused on promoting the capable. Therefore, he entrusted many important matters to Gaozong.
After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, he handled state affairs in an orderly manner, personally led his troops in the conquest of the Huainan region, expanded the empire's territory, and stabilized the borders. He ruled for more than ten years, feeling accomplished and proud, but suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Luliang Mountain, resulting in heavy losses. The power of the Jiangzuo region significantly diminished, and this was the reason! Alas! In the end, his virtues pale in comparison to those of Emperor Wen, and his wisdom falls short of Emperor Wu's. While his successes and failures were largely of his own making, he certainly lacked effective strategies to defend against external threats.
